A tale of two MVPs

Manila, Philippines – From day one Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ RR Garcia was flying on the radar while Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Ryan Beunafe was under it.

Garcia is a pint-sized point guard. Buenafe is a burly forward.

The King Tamaraw wears the same face all throughout the game. It doesn’t matter if it’s the game winner or just a mere two-pointer in the middle of a run which he hits. He just runs away from the play as if nothing happened.

In contrast, the King Eagle’s plump face doesn’t even pass up for a cold hearted hitman. But whenever he hits a big shot, he flamboyantly holds up his jersey with the word Ateneo emblazoned on it. He makes sure the crowd notices.

Both are built with stuff that breathes greatness. If this was the NBA, Garcia was Lebron and Buenafe was Kobe.



Garcia came into the Finals with imrpressive credentials – season averages of 16.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists and a string of heroic performances which lifted the Tamaraws to a 12-2 record – that earned him the distinction of becoming the first guard to be named Most Valuable Player since another FEU legend Johnny Abarrientos did it in 1991.

Buenafe arrived here in the Finals with sporadic play – season averages of 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists – that was not even enough to land him a spot in the Mythical Five.

But on the night where everything is on the line, Buenafe took the courage to take charge and it became the defining moment of his three-year collegiate career, each year with a championship ring.

Garcia, for most parts opted to play decoy. And when the moment to take over arrived, he failed miserably.

Buenafe, who was criticized for being overweight, used this to his advantage. He literally threw his weight around the FEU defenders thrown at him. He only missed four and made eight spectacular shots, culminating to the gutsy three-pointer which he took way beyond the arc with the shot clock winding down in the final 22 seconds.

Garcia, who was praised for being as cool as an ice in pressure situations, suddenly went cold. His icy cool moves deserting him, the 20-year old guard only made one out of his five attempts in the pivotal fourth period.

With Garcia’s fall came the rise of Buenafe.



What a time for Buenafe to record his personal season-best 23 points. He laced up his magnificent scoring with 6 boards and an assist and a steal. He averaged 12.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the series and was the hands down choice for the Finals MVP.

Despite Garcia’s personal season-best 6 assists and 8 boards, he was shot in the arm by his worst scoring performance. He only scored 6 points on a cold 3-of-13 shooting. His Finals statsline read as this: 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, much like Buenafe’s modest elimination averages.

Garcia was flying on the radar all season long but Buenafe was just waiting for the right time to spread his wings.

And when that came, Buenafe flew above the rest. Not even the season MVP could fly higher.